Thursday, November 13, 2008

How the Grinch (a.k.a. AHA) is trying to steal my Christmas.




American Humanist Association
Washington D.C., bus ad. Part of a $40,000 campaign during the Christmas season.




It's a free country and you have the right to say what you want...within clearly established parameters. God also gave mankind the privilege of free will, so who am I to try and force you to believe in Him or not...can't...doesn't work that way. But in a civilized society (such as ours) based on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, there are a few 'unwritten' rules of respect.

December 25th is celebrated worldwide as Christmas, the date recognized by Christians of all denomination as the day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The same Jesus Christ, mind you, who is widely recognized by the vast majority of the world (religious and secular) as the single most influential man born in over 2000 years.

I don't celebrate Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, but I respect Jews who do. I don't buy ad space blasting them as Jesus killers. That's not my place.

I don't celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, but I respect those who do. I don't buy radio ad time making fun of a culture that still uses a lunisolar calendar, something we've not done in the West since the days of the Tudor Dynasty.

I don't celebrate Yule, the Wiccan Solstice Night, and even though I don't understand it, I respect those who do. You won't see me on a television commercial making fun or ridiculing those who think the longest night of the year is something to celebrate.

So my question to the American Humanist Association is this: Why now? The timing of this ad campaign in conjunction with the Santa Claus costumed model makes it painfully clear that Christmas is a sore spot with your group. Why?

Christmas is a time for joyous spirit and brotherly love. Christmas is a time when everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike, becomes a little less narcissistic and more giving in our nature. Call it what you like, but Christmas is a time we all become a little more Christ-like in our behavior.

If the Humanist want less God in their 'Holiday Season'...fine. There are plenty of opportunities for that to happen. As for me, please leave me alone to celebrate the December 25th as Christmas. Please don't ridicule, harass or coerce me for my ignorantly blind ways...and I'll politely return the favor (please Heavenly Father, give me strength).

Here's a Christmas message to all of you from me. Enjoy.

6 comments:

The Via Colony said...

That add is so sad and yet so many people believe like that. Great post!

~ Lori ~ said...

I just read this story early today. I should say I am shocked, but I'm not....how sad is that? These are the people that have not a clue as to why Christmas is a celebration. They don't know of the Son that came into the world to save us all from sin.
They just think of it as a day off from work and a day to get presents. Grrrr....

Unknown said...

I am so shell shocked that they would go to that extreme. Great post!!!

Anonymous said...

I had to drag my husband off of the ladder (painting the ceiling) to see this one. He's speachless and I am forwarding it to everyone I can!

I like the Charlie Brown ending.

BTW: Thanks again.

Teomen said...

Wow, it's not wonder that Romans describes us all as his enemies before we turn to him! Truly man despises God! I am so grateful for his grace that who would still die for people like that, like me.

AtlantaMama said...

sad

sadly, i think they knew they would get talked about it they tood this title... it's pretty bold.

if someone was walking toward a cliff in a fog... and we knew the truth, nothing would stop us from telling them of the REAL danger.

so... something like this may just be the thing that brings up the topic of God and allows us to talk about the real truth. Or so we hope.